Positioning and holding device



Dec- 1 1964 R. w. BURNS PosITIoNING AND HOLDING DEvxcE Filed Feb. 9, 1962 United States Patent() dt PSTENNG ANB HGLDENG BEVEQE Robert W. Burns, 93.8 St., Etes Moines, iowa Filed Feb. 9, 1%2, Ser. No. l''ZZl) 6 Claims. (Si. 259-74) This invention relates to positioning devices and, more particularly, to adjustable positioning and holding devices especially suitable for construction applications.

Many structures and articles of manufacture are assembled by a predetermined arrangement of the component parts thereof with respect to one another. lt is often advantageous to construct holding or positioning devices, such as templates or jigs, for arranging the parts in their predetermined positions to insure proper relative positioning with a minimum of time and effort. In the construction of frame buildings, for example, such templates or jigs are often used to prefabricate various parts such as Wall panels, Window and door frames, partitions, etc. In some construction jigs the holding or positioning portions are adjustable to allow adaptation of the jig to several applications. However, the adjustment of the jig from one position to another is often diicult, awkward and time consuming.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention Vto provide a novel holding and positioning device which is easily and quickly adjustable among a wide variety of positions.

It is a further object to provide an adjustable construction jig having improved means for releasably locking the movable portions thereof in a fixed position.

Another object is to provide a construction jig having an adjustable portion bearing indicia movable with respect to a set of fixed indicia in such a manner as to allow rapid and exact relative positioning of a number of parts or objects held by said jig.

Still another object is to provide an adjustable holding and positioning means which is simple and economical in manufacture and durable in use.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus having the construction, arrangement and relationship of parts described in the following detailed disclosure and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims. For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are end views in vertical section on the line 2-2 of FIG. l and show the adjustable portion of the apparatus in different positions, and

FG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. l.

The apparatus comprises basically a stationary portion 1) and a movable portion 12 adapted to be slidably mounted between members 14 and lo of stationary member itl. Movable portion 12 has mounted thereon upstanding brackets 18 and 20. A series of vertical notches 22 are Vcut at predetermined intervals in members if and 11.6, and

a like series of notches 24 are cut in movable portion l2. Also, horizontal notches 26 are cut in members i4 and 16, and a horizontal notch 2b in movable portion l2. A rst set of indicia 3G appears on member 214-, and a second set of indicia '32 on movable portion l2. Locldng elements 34 are adapted to be releasably inserted in notches 22 and 24 to prevent lateral sliding movement of movable portion 12 with respect to stationary portion lil, and in notches 25 and 28, as seen in FIG. 2, to prevent upward movement of movable portion l2 with respect to stationice ary portion lil. Preferably, stationary portion i@ is affixed to a supporting surface such as a work table, a portion of which is shown at 3e, by any appropriate means such as screws 38. A scribe line itl bisects the distance between brackets 13 and Ztl.

The manner of operation of the device is as follows: an

l object or part which is to be positioned is placed between brackets 18 and 2Q. lf all objects to be positioned by the device are of substantially the same dimensions, the position of brackets 13 and 2li may be Ked with relation to movable portion 12 as by mounting with screws 42. If objects of different dimensions are to be positioned, the position of brackets 18 and 20 may be made adjustable with respect to movable portion l2, in which case it is desirable that scribe line itl remain centered between the brackets as they are adjusted. A second movable portion (not shown), similar in all respects to movable portion l2, may be mounted between members 14- and le, and a second object to be positioned placed between the brackets thereof. In fact, stationary portion lil may be made long enough to accommodate any desired number of movable portions. When a movable portion has been inserted between members t4 and lo it may be prevented from being removed from stationary portion l0 by insertion of a locking element 34 in notch 26 of member M and notch 28 of movable portion l2, and by the oppositely sloping sides of members lo and movable portion l2, as seen in FIG. 2. When the locking element has been removed from notches 26 and 2S, movable portion l2 may be removed from between members lit and 16 as seen in FIG. 3. The movable portions are laterally positioned with respect to stationary portion lil by aligning one or more of notches 24 with corresponding notches 22. The lateral position is then xed by inserting locldng elements 34 in the aligned notches 22 and 2&3. Locking elements 34 are preferably so dimensioned that they do not protrude above the upper surfaces of member i4 and movable portion l2 when inserted therebetween, as seen in FIG. 2. Also, the material of which locking elements 34 is made is preferably somewhat resilient so that if lateral force is exerted on movable portion l2 while the locking elements are in place, the sides of notches 22 and 24 will not be damaged or deformed. For example, locking elements 34 may be made of wood and so dimensioned that when inserted in notches 22 and 24 lateral force exerted on movable portion 12 will be against the grain of the wood, thus making it more difficult to shear the locking elements than if the force were exerted across the grain while still providing a measure of resiliency.

Notches 22 are cut at predetermined distances from one another, as are notches 2d, and there is also preferably a predetermined ratio between the two sets of notches. For example, in the illustrated embodiment notches 22 are cut at one inch intervals in members 14 and lo. Notches 24 are cut at tive-sixteenth (/G) inch intervals in movable portion l?. for a distance of ten inches; then sixten (i6) notches 2d are cut in each live inches. If scribe line ttl is aligned with one of the notches 22, then notches 24 tive inches on either side of scribed line all will also be aligned with a notch 22 since notches 22 are cut at one inch intervals. if it is desired to align scribe mark itl vesixteenth (5/16) inches to one side of one of the notches 22, then the notches 24 marked 5 on indicia 32 are aligned with notches 22. if it is desired to align scribe mark 4t) one-half (1/2) inch to one side of one of the notches 22, then the notches 24 marked 8 (corresponding to i716 or 1/;) on indicia 32 are aligned with notches 22, and so on. Thus, scribe line itl may be aligned to the nearest one-sixteenth (1/16) inch with respect to any of the notches 22 on indicia 3b. If two movable portions l2 are used the scribe lines thereon may be accurately spaced at any desired distance from one another, and the two portions locked in place with locking elements 34, to the nearest one-sixteenth (IAG) inch. Since brackets 18 and 2li are at equaldistances from scribe line 4d, an object placed between the brackets will haveits center over scribe line 4d. Again, if two movable portions as used, the distance between `the scribe'lines will deiine the center-tocenter distance between two objects held between the brackets of each movable portion. lf relatively long objects, such as boards, are to be positioned at both ends thereof an additional device, similar in all respects to the one illustrated if desired, may be employed at the opposite end of table 3d. In fact, any numberrof stationary portions lil, each having several movable portions l2 mounted thereon may be employed, depending on the number and size of pieces which are to be positioned relative to one another.

ln most situations wherein an assembled rectangular frame is required, at least one base unit with at least two longitudinally spaced slide units l2 will be mounted at each end of a table or like 36; After the four slide units l2 have been properly positioned and locked by the keys 34 in notches 22 and 24 and in horizontal notch grooves 25 and 2S, there will result two pairs of longitudinally aligned brackets on each side of the table 3d. ,lt the frame is to be made of wood, the two side members to make up the frame are laid in parallel relationship in the two in line bracket means, respectively. The' required distance between the centers of thetwo side frame members has previously been determined and this distance requirement has been determined by reading the scales and positioning the members l2 accordingly. With the two side members of the trame or like being properly posi- I vside edge ot' the member l2 extending forwardly and downwardly under an overhanging side edge of an adjacent member 16 as best viewed in FlG. 4. By this arrangement the member l2 cannot move upwardly relative to the member lo. When one or more keys are in the slots 26 and 2S, the rear side of the member l?, will be prevented from moving upwardly relative to the base lil.y

, However, once the keys Se are slid from the grooves 26 and 28, the rear edge of the member 12 mayV be lifted up- Wardly, thus detaching the keys 3d in the vertical slits 22 and 24, as shown in FIG .3. The keys, when in locking positions inthe notch slits 22 and 24 are completely embedded therein so as to not interfere with the work at hand. VThe upper rear edge of the member l2, above the slot groove 28 is cutaway as shown in FlG. l and FIG. 2, in order to provide an open channel exposing the keys 3d in the grooves 26 and 2S. A pin, Vnail or the like may be inserted through this channel for engaging the keys and sliding them laterally from engagement with thegroove 23 of the member l2.

lf the members l2 and ld are of Wood, the keys 34 should be of fragile material so that they will break before the jig is damaged if unexpected impact is delivered to the frame or like being fabricated. Thin rectangular :strips of grained wood make excellent key means. lf an eXtra rigid securing means is desired for the slits 22 and 24, the grain of the wood of the keys should extend horizontally. If a weaker means is desired, the grain of the wood of the keys should extend vertically.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my positioning and holding device, without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modied forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalentswhich may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. A positioningiand holding device comprising, in combination:

(a) a stationary portion including guide means, (b) a movable portion adapted to coact with said guide means, (c) first means for releasably holding said movable portion in slidable engagement with said guide means, (d) second means for releasably lining said movable portion and said guide means in a predetermined position relative toeach other, and (e) third means mounted on said movable portion and defining a space adapted to receive an object to be positioned and held thereby. 2. The invention according to claim l wherein said first means comprises first notches in said guide means and said movable portion and at least one rst locking element adapted to be inserted in said first notche 3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said second means comprises a plurality of second notches in said guide means, a plurality-of third notches in said movable portion, and at least one `second locking element, any one of said second and any onerot said third notches being algnable withrespect to each other to provide for insertion of said second locking element therein and therebetween.

VIl. In a positioning and holding means,l comprising, in combination, y f

(a) a base unit having an elongated groove,

(b) spaced apart slit openings in said base unit and communicating with its groove,

(c) a movable member slidably detachably mounted in the elongated groove of said base unit,

(d) spaced apart slit openings in said movable member capable of selectively communicating with at least some of the slit openings in said base unit,

(e) a part holding means on said movable member,

(f) 'and at least one key member capable of selectively detachably engaging one slit opening of said base unit and one slit opening of said movable member.

5. ln a positioning and holding means, comprising, in

combination, A

(a) a base unit having an elongated groove,

(b)y spaced apart slit openings in said base unit and cornrnunicating with its groove,

(c) a movable member slidably detachably mounted Vin the elongated groove of said base unit,

(d) spaced apart slit openings in said movable member capable of selectively communicating with at least some of the slit openings in said base unit,

(e) a part holding means on said movable member,

(f) at least one key member capable of selectively detachably engaging onel slit opening of said base unit and one slit opening ot said movable member,

(g) a horizontal groove in the side of the elongated groove of said base unit,

(h) ay horizontal groove inthe side of said movable member and in communication with the lirst mentio'ned horizontal groove, and

r(1') a key detachablyV slidably engaging both of said Vhorirontal grooves. l,

6. ln a positioning and holding means, comprising, in

combination,

(a) a base unit having an elongated groove,

(b) spaced apart slit openings in said base unit and communicating with its groove, l

(c) a movable member slidably detachably mounted in the elongated grooverof said base unit,v

(d)r spaced apart slit openings in said movable member capable of selectively communicating with at least v some of the slit openings in said base unit,

(e) a part holding means on said movable member, (f) at least one key member capable of selectively detachably engaging one slit opening of said base unit and one slit opening of said movable member,

g) a horizontai groove in the side of the elongated groove of said base unit,

(lz) a horizontal groove in the side of said movable member and in communication with the rst mentioned horizontal groove, and

() a key detachably slidably engaging both of said horizontal grooves;

(j) said last mentioned key having a portion of its area 1 observable between said base unit and said movable member.

References Usted by the Examiner UN ITED STATES PATENTS 1,452,753 4/23 Otto et al 269-207 X 1,525,227 2/25 Closson 269-43 2,588,810 3/52 Dietrich 269-40 2,846,761 8/58 Evans 269-69 X 0 FRANK SUSKO, Prmaly Examiner.

THOMAS I. HICKEY, Examiner. 

1. A POSITIONING AND HOLDING DEVICE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A STATIONARY PORTION INCLUDING GUIDE MEANS, (B) A MOVABLE PORTION ADAPTED TO COACT WITH SAID GUIDE MEANS, (C) FIRST MEANS FOR RELEASABLY HOLDING SAID MOVABLE PORTION IN SLIDABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID GUIDE MEANS, (D) SECOND MEANS FOR RELEASABLY FIXING SAID MOVABLE PORTION AND SAID GUIDE MEANS IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, AND (E) THIRD MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID MOVABLE PORTION AND DEFINING A SPACE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AN OBJECT TO BE POSITIONED AND HELD THEREBY. 